Department for Transport

Aircraft: Air Conditioning

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to prevent toxic fumes from aircraft engines entering the cabin and causing crew and passengers to fall ill.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Following a recommendation in 2007 by the Committee on Toxicity (the COT) – an independent committee of toxicology experts – the Department commissioned a series of scientific studies as part of a research programme into cabin air. The principal research study, carried out by Cranfield University, was published in May 2011. In addition to the principal study, three further research studies were commissioned and published by the Department. The Department’s four published reports were formally submitted to the COT for consideration in June 2012. The COT considered the research reports, as well as other research published in the scientific literature since 2007, and subsequently published their position paper in December 2013 in which they concluded that further research was needed to properly understand the effects.   The Department does not plan to undertake any additional research on this issue and wrote to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) informing them of the four scientific studies commissioned by the Department. The limited number of incidences means that a larger data sample from more than just the UK would be beneficial. In addition, given that the same planes, engines and oils are used all round the world and across borders, an international approach to any future research investigations would now be more appropriate. EASA has launched in spring 2015 a preliminary in-flight cabin air measurement campaign, which will develop the methodology and put into place adequate equipment to perform cockpit and cabin air measurements. The results of this campaign, which will be used to prepare for an envisaged large scale project in the future, are expected in autumn 2016. The Department will follow the progress of this work with interest.   At a national level, the Aviation Health Unit as part of the Medical Department of the Civil Aviation Authority, will continue to monitor issues around cabin air as part of their wider role as the specialist adviser to the Government on aviation health issues.

Parking: Disability

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers (a) local authorities and (b) the police have to enforce proper use of designated disabled parking spaces on public highways.

Andrew Jones: Where a parking contravention has occurred in respect of a designated disabled parking space, local authorities that have taken on civil enforcement powers may issue a penalty charge under powers contained in the Traffic Management Act 2004. In areas still subject to police enforcement, traffic wardens may issue fixed penalties.   If the contravention involves the misuse of a ‘Blue Badge’, which is a criminal offence, either a local authority or the police may prosecute the offender under section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Midland Mainline: Rolling Stock

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what timetable he has set for procurement of the replacement of the HST trains on the Midland Mainline.

Claire Perry: The Department considers that franchisees are normally best placed to procure the rolling stock that they require to deliver the necessary levels of service and capacity.　 We expect the competition for the next East Midlands long-term franchise to deliver any necessary changes in the rolling stock that is utilised.

River Thames: Bridges

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will publish the (a) business case and (b) payment schedule for the £30 million allocated to the Garden Bridge project in the National Infrastructure Plan 2013.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Garden Bridge business case was published in May 2014. A copy can be obtained following this link:https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/garden-bridge-strategic-outline-business-case.pdfThe full £30 million of Government’s contribution was provided to Transport for London (TfL) in 2014/15 via their general grant. A funding agreement was signed which required, among other things,　that TfL would jointly manage phased drawdown of both ‘their’ £30 million and ‘ours’ according to certain conditions:https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/garden-bridge-funding-agreement.pdf

Cycling and Walking

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's average annual expenditure on (a) cycling and (b) walking per head was in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16; and what plans his Department has for annual investment in (i) cycling and (ii) walking after April 2016.

Mr Robert Goodwill: In the five years 2011/12 to 2015/16, the Department for Transport (DfT) has increased its spend on cycling in England from £1 per head to £3 per head. Local authorities also spend significant amounts on cycling and so over the same period, total spend on cycling in England has increased from around the £2 per head inherited from the previous Labour administration to £6 per head. Spend per head is over £10 per head in the eight Cycle Ambition Cities and London. CyclingProgrammesAverage spend in each year of programme (£m)2011/122012/132013/142014/152015/16DfT spend per head£1£2£2£2£3Total spend per head£2£4£5£5£6All the figures above are to the nearest pound   The DfT has invested in walking programmes through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, with spend of around 40p per head in each year from 2011-12 to 2014-15. No figure is available for 2015-16.   For investment plans beyond April 2016, the Department must act upon the Secretary of State’s duty to set a Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, with objectives.

Manchester Airport: Accidents

Mary Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many of the recommendations of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in its report on the accident to Boeing 737-236 series 1, G-BGJC at Manchester International Airport on 22 August 1985 have been implemented.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Of the 31 recommendations, 28 have been implemented and another has been partially implemented.

Level Crossings: Lincoln

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Office of Rail and Road and (b) Network Rail on the delays to Brayford Wharf East Level Crossing in Lincoln.

Claire Perry: The Secretary of State has held no recent discussions with the Office of Rail and Road and Network Rail on the delays to the construction of a pedestrian footbridge over Brayford Wharf East Level Crossing.

Office of Rail and Road

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Department's Rail Executive, (b) Network Rail and (c) other bodies on the future of the Office of Road and Rail.

Claire Perry: My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Department’s Rail Executive, Network Rail and other bodies including the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) about a wide range of current and future matters relating to the railway. In June the Secretary of State announced that he had commissioned Dame Colette Bowe, one of the Department for Transport’s non-executive directors, to conduct a review to examine the processes followed in planning for Network Rail’s Control Period 5 enhancements programme and to make recommendations, to be published in the autumn, for better planning in the future.　　Determining the efficient cost and delivery of Network Rail’s investment programme is a key role of the ORR and if there are lessons to be learned by the ORR the Government expects them to be acted on.

Office of Rail and Road

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) current and (b) former (i) employees and (ii) board members of the Office of Road and Rail receive concessionary rail travel.

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost to the Office of Road and Rail of providing (a) free and concessionary rail travel and (b) other benefits to current and former employees and their families in each of the last five years.

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the number of (a) current employees, (b) former employees and (c) board members of the Office of Road and Rail Regulation who receive free travel.

Claire Perry: The Office of Road and Rail (ORR) does not provide free or concessionary rail travel to its employees, board members or their families. Consequently, ORR has not incurred any cost for such arrangements in any of the last five years.   Six current ORR employees, as a result of their previous employment in the railway industry, are eligible for concessionary travel under the Rail Staff Travel Limited scheme, operated by the Association of Train Operating Companies. ORR administers the salary deductions on behalf of those employees but does not otherwise subsidise the arrangements.   The remuneration, including other benefits, paid to ORR directors and board members is detailed and published in ORR’s annual reports which are laid before Parliament each year. A link to the most recent annual report can be found at:http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/18154/annual-report-2014-15-web.pdf

Hitachi: Newton Aycliffe

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the new Hitachi Trains factory at Newton Aycliffe will be (a) officially opened and (b) working at full capacity.

Claire Perry: The Hitachi Train manufacturing facility at Newton Aycliffe was officially opened by the Prime Minister on 3rd September 2015. The facility has already employed over 100 staff, increasing to 400 by Easter 2016.　 The facility is ramping up for a November 2015 start and will go into full production next year on IEP trains.　 Production of the Abellio ScotRail trains will also commence at the facility in line with plans to enter service from late 2017.

First Great Western: Rolling Stock

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, where the new Inter City Express train sets for First Great Western will be (a) manufactured and (b) assembled.

Claire Perry: The first IEP trains will be manufactured by Hitachi at their Kasado factory in Japan until production at Newton Aycliffe commences in autumn 2016. The remaining trains will be assembled at the Newton Aycliffe site.

First Great Western: Rolling Stock

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the timetable for the delivery of the first train for First Great Western of 25 May 2017 will be met.

Claire Perry: The first IEPs will be delivered as planned from May 2017.

East Coast Railway Line: Rolling Stock

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, where the modification to include a buffet car in standard class of the IEP train sets for the East Coast line will be (a) manufactured and (b) assembled.

Claire Perry: Parts for the Virgin Trains East Coast line standard class buffet facilities will be manufactured in Germany and then installed at Newton Aycliffe. 72% of the parts, systems and operations sourced by Hitachi Rail Europe for the IEP have been purchased from UK-based businesses.

East Coast Railway Line: Rolling Stock

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the effect to the delivery timetable for IEP trains for the East Coast line of the modifications to include a buffet car in standard class.

Claire Perry: The inclusion of a standard class buffet facilities will be accommodated within the existing delivery schedule. Trains will enter passenger service on the East Coast Main Line as planned from 2018.

Driving: Licensing

Dr Tania Mathias: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to publicise the ending of the paper counterpart to driving licences; and what arrangements are in place to support drivers who do not have access to a computer to access information about their penalty points.

Andrew Jones: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) used media, online channels, direct mail and advertising to inform people about the abolition of the paper counterpart to the driving licence. The DVLA also engaged with trade organisations, vehicle hire companies and wrote directly to 640,000 professional bus and lorry drivers. Information has been sent to around a million drivers each month since February with driving licence renewal reminders. Awareness of the change amongst the public is now over 84%.   The DVLA has a dedicated local rate telephone service in place for drivers who do not have access to the online service. This service is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm and Saturday from 8am to 2pm. Since the paper counterpart was abolished in June 2015, more than 154,000 drivers have used the telephone service. During the same period the online service has been used 1.4m times.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Supported Housing

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how his Department will administer the new arrangements for social housing tenants on higher income to higher rents; and whether his Department will require all tenants to provide details of their incomes.

Brandon Lewis: The Budget promised a consultation on aspects of the policy. That will be published shortly, and following responses we will set out the detail in due course.

Planning Permission

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will alter planning rules to allow for applications for planning permission to be refused by people for reasons other than planning grounds and for local authorities to be able to take ethical and non-local environmental matters into account.

Brandon Lewis: There are no plans to change planning rules to allow for planning applications to be refused for reasons other than planning reasons. Planning applications are considered on their own merits and, by law, are determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Animal Breeding: Dogs

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he has taken in response to representations made (a) by e-petition and (b) otherwise on his decision to grant permission to B&K Universal's application to build a beagle breeding centre in Grimston.

Brandon Lewis: Ministers gave careful consideration to all the relevant planning issues raised in representations made ahead of the decision on this appeal case. Once a planning appeal decision has been issued the Secretary of State has no further role.

Coastal Revival Fund

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to announce the list of successful bids to the Coastal Revival Fund.

Mr Mark Francois: The Coastal Revival Fund closes for applications on 14 September 2015. We will then sift and assess applications and will let successful areas know in the Autumn.

Right to Buy Scheme

Dr Tania Mathias: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans for the extension of the Right to Buy scheme to housing associations to encompass fully mutual housing co-operatives.

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the cumulative effect of the extension of Right to Buy to housing association tenants and the reduction in rent levels for social tenants on the financial viability of small-scale housing associations.

Brandon Lewis: The development of the policy is ongoing, and details will be set out in due course.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Tobacco

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2015 to Question 6077, how many (a) meetings and (b) emails his Department has had with the organisation Action on Smoking and Health in drafting these guidelines.

Mr Hugo Swire: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials met with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in June 2012 to discuss updating our 2005 tobacco guidance so as to ensure it reflected our commitments under Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which was adopted in 2009. This department exchanged six emails with ASH between 30 June 2012 and December 2013 when the new guidelines were issued to posts.

Tobacco

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2015 to Question 6077, which organisations he consulted when drafting that guidance.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Department of Health were consulted and became co-authors of this guidance as they lead on tobacco control and the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. We also consulted with UK Trade and Investment. Action on Smoking and Health also sent us their recommendations.

Tobacco

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2015 to Question 6077, if he will publish and place in the Library the guidance on engaging with the tobacco industry issued to staff in December 2013.

Mr Hugo Swire: I have arranged for the revised December 2013 guidance to overseas posts on engagement with the tobacco industry to be placed in the Library of the House.

Iran: Human Rights

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Iranian counterpart on the human rights situation in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) most recently raised concerns about the Iranian human rights situation during his visit to Tehran on 23-24 August. The Foreign Secretary raised human rights issues during his meetings with President Rouhani, Foreign Minister Zarif and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Larijani.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterpart on the treatment of Tamil detainees in Sri Lanka since the election of President Maithripala Sirisena; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hugo Swire: We frequently engage with the government of Sri Lanka on human rights issues including on the treatment of detainees.We have raised human rights issues at all levels, as the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), did when he met President Sirisena in March. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), did likewise with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on 2 June. I have also raised the issue with the government on a number of occasions, including during my visit to Sri Lanka in January.The UK has actively supported the improvement of human rights, accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka through multilateral organisations such as the UN, the Commonwealth and the EU as well as through bilateral funding of targeted programmes.

Middle East: Asylum

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with their counterparts in (i) the United Arab Emirates, (ii) Saudi Arabia, (iii) Kuwait and (iv) Qatar to encourage each of those countries to accept a greater number of Syrian refugees; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK actively engages and collaborates with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council on humanitarian and development assistance, and the Gulf States continue to contribute generously to humanitarian support for the Syria crisis. Kuwait is the 3rd largest bilateral donor globally, Saudi Arabia is 5th, the UAE 6th and Qatar 10th (the UK is 2nd). Contributions from these four Gulf states to UN appeals alone amount to over $2.5bn. Kuwait chairs the Top Donor Group and has hosted three pledging conferences. The Gulf States are also contributing through regional charities. For example, the UAE funds the Emirates Jordan camp which houses over 6000 refugees.I also discussed the issue with my Emirate counterpart, Dr Anwar Gargash, during the UK-UAE taskforce which I attended in Abu Dhabi last week.

Thailand: Human Rights

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect human rights defenders in Thailand.

Mr Hugo Swire: The UK fully supports the right of activists to carry out their work and voice their opinions in order to promote human rights in a peaceful manner. In Thailand, our Embassy works bilaterally and in concert with EU representatives to raise human rights issues with the Thai authorities, including through the promotion of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders. When appropriate, the Government issues statements on cases of concern and reminds the authorities of their obligations to ensure that international human rights standards are upheld.

Refugees

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to help co-ordinate (a) a European and (b) a wider international response to the refugee situation.

Mr David Lidington: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) told the House on 7 September that the UK would meet its moral obligations and take 20 000 Syrian refugees over the lifetime of this Parliament. He also said we are using our aid budget to alleviate poverty in those countries of origin, we are the only major country in the world who has kept our promise to spend 0.7% of Gross Domestic Product on aid, and that we are the second largest donor to the Syrian conflict, including providing over 18 million food rations, and providing clean water for 1.6 million.The Prime Minister also announced on 4 September an additional £100 million in aid, taking our contribution to over £1 billion. Sixty million pounds of this additional funding will go towards helping Syrians still in Syria. The remainder will go to neighbouring countries – to Turkey, to Jordan and to Lebanon where one quarter of the population are Syrian refugees.The UK is taking part in the UN’s programme to resettle refugees who have fled their countries of origin. Additionally the UK operates three resettlement schemes in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: Mandate; Gateway and the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme.We continue to work closely with our EU partners, to develop a comprehensive approach that will help reduce the pull factor. We are also seeking to disrupt those criminal gangs engaged in people smuggling ad trafficking. There will be an EU/Africa conference in Valletta in November. The UK is fully engaged with the preparations for it.

Sahel

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on re-deploying a Special Envoy to the Sahel region.

Grant Shapps: Stephen O’Brien MP was the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the Sahel from 2012 to 2015. Since his departure, the Minister for Africa and senior officials have followed events in the Sahel closely. The UK has also continued to show leadership in the Sahel through participation in international Missions such as the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and EU training missions in Mali and Niger. The Government will keep its representation in the Sahel under review.

Central African Republic: Politics and Government

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) regional security and (b) migration to the EU of instability in the Central African Republic.

Grant Shapps: The unrest in the Central African Republic (CAR) has impacted on its neighbours through refugee flows and cross-border violence. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware of reports of rebel incursions spilling over the border from CAR into Cameroon. Approximately 442,495 of CAR’s population have been internally displaced. Approximately 241,231 refugees have fled to Cameroon, 93,120 to Chad, 68,165 to the Democratic Republic of Congo and 21,554 to the Republic of Congo. The Government is working closely with EU and African Union partners ahead of the Valletta Summit in November to develop proposals for action to disrupt smuggling and trafficking networks; strengthen cooperation on returns; and address the root causes of migration, including regional instability.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Post Codes: Databases

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of the inclusion of the Postcode Address File in the sale of Royal Mail on (a) small businesses and (b) other users of formerly public postcode data.

Nick Boles: The Government has ensured access to the Postcode Address File (PAF) through primary legislation. The Postal Services Act 2000 (as amended by the Postal Services Act 2011) specifies that the PAF must be made available to anyone who wishes to use it on reasonable terms.   This legislative protection will continue to apply regardless of Royal Mail's ownership.   No assessment has been made of the effect of the inclusion of the Postcode Address File in the sale of Royal Mail on either small businesses or other users.

Green Investment Bank

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what investments have been made through the Green Investment Bank in each region and constituent part of the UK.

Anna Soubry: Details of all investments made by the Green Investment Bank are available on its website.

Direct Mail

Dr Tania Mathias: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to help people to stop receiving unsolicited mail.

Nick Boles: The Government appreciates that some people find unsolicited mail a real nuisance. This is why we have made sure that there are preference services in place to help those people stop receiving unwanted mail.   By registering with both preference services offered by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and Royal Mail’s door-to-door opt-out service, the vast majority of unsolicited mail can be stopped. Registration is quick and free.   More information about these services can be found on the DMA’s Mailing Preference Service website (www.mpsonline.org.uk).

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department's total spending was on climate change adaptation in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; and what that spending is expected to be in each of the next five years.

Grant Shapps: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 07 September 2015.The correct answer should have been:

DFID support to help people adapt to the impacts of climate is delivered in an integrated way through a range of programmes. Since the International Climate Fund was established in 2011/12 approximate funding is as follows: 2011/12 - £136m2012/13 – £212m2013/14 – £228m £304m  Data for 2014/15 and 2015/16 will be published once available.  Future funding levels for spend on climate change will be determined as part of the current Spending Review process.

Grant Shapps: DFID support to help people adapt to the impacts of climate is delivered in an integrated way through a range of programmes. Since the International Climate Fund was established in 2011/12 approximate funding is as follows: 2011/12 - £136m2012/13 – £212m2013/14 – £228m £304m  Data for 2014/15 and 2015/16 will be published once available.  Future funding levels for spend on climate change will be determined as part of the current Spending Review process.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the total value was of projects funded by her Department on climate change adaptation in each year since 2010-11; and how much is planned to be spent in each year up to 2019-20.

Grant Shapps: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 07 September 2015.The correct answer should have been:

DFID support to help people adapt to the impacts of climate is delivered in an integrated way through a range of programmes. Since the International Climate Fund was established in 2011/12 approximate funding is as follows: 2011/12 - £136m2012/13 – £212m2013/14 – £228m £304m  Data for 2014/15 and 2015/16 will be published once available.  Future funding levels for spend on climate change will be determined as part of the current Spending Review process.

Grant Shapps: DFID support to help people adapt to the impacts of climate is delivered in an integrated way through a range of programmes. Since the International Climate Fund was established in 2011/12 approximate funding is as follows: 2011/12 - £136m2012/13 – £212m2013/14 – £228m £304m  Data for 2014/15 and 2015/16 will be published once available.  Future funding levels for spend on climate change will be determined as part of the current Spending Review process.

Department for International Development: Information Officers

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in what ways the candidate recruited for the post of Senior External Communications Officer for Scotland and other devolved administrations, reference 1456639, will be expected to communicate the benefits of the Union to the Scottish public and take that work to the next level.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The successful candidate will support all of DFID’s communications while based at our joint UK headquarters. They will also be expected to communicate how Scotland – as part of the UK – is a world leader in international development, working with stakeholders, staff, the media and others to explain the work of DFID. This is in line with the recommendation by the cross-party International Development Committee (IDC) that DFID “give higher priority to making its work known across Scotland”.

Department for International Development: Information Officers

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether the salary and other costs associated with the post of Senior External Communications Officer for Scotland and other devolved administrations, reference 1456639, will be counted towards the Government's target of spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on Overseas Development Assistance.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The salary for this role will come from the DFID administration budget, which counts towards the Government’s target spending of 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI) on Overseas Development Assistance.  DFID has some of the lowest overheads of all Whitehall departments, and also has low administration costs in comparison to other development organisations — at around 2.5% of DFID's overall budget.

Members: Correspondence

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she last received correspondence from the Scottish Government Minister for International Development; and when she plans to reply to such correspondence.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The Secretary of State for International Development last received correspondence from the Scottish Government Minister for Europe and International Development on 2 June 2015. The Secretary of State replied to this correspondence by letter on 30 June 2015.

New Alliance for Food Safety and Nutrition

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the value for money of the projects supported by the G7 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Every DFID programme which is contributing to the New Alliance initiative, including both country-level food security and nutrition programmes and funding for wider agricultural policy reforms, is subject to DFID’s annual review processes, which also assess value for money. Additional funding committed through the New Alliance initiative consists of £44m for ‘enabling actions’, and an additional £76m contribution to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme. A list of enabling actions and initial programme reviews with further information are available on the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition and DFID development tracker websites.

Overseas Aid: Children

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department has spent on aid and assistance to children in countries at war with Daesh.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The UK has been at the forefront of the response to the crisis in Syria and the region, and has pledged a total of £1 billion, our largest ever response to a single humanitarian crisis. Of this, £111 million has been allocated to provide protection, psychosocial support and education for children affected by the crisis in Syria and the region. This includes funding to establish women and children’s centres in Iraq– which provide counselling and support for women, and safe spaces for children to play and learn. In Syria, the UK is supporting children with food, shelter and health. The UK also helped launch, and mobilise international support for, the ‘No Lost Generation’ Initiative (NLGI), which aims to prevent a whole generation being lost to the Syria conflict through physical and psychological trauma and lack of access to quality education and other basic services.

Central African Republic

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what spending and technical support her Department has committed to what programmes in Central African Republic in each of the last five years.

Grant Shapps: DFID’s funding to CAR and CAR refugees has increased in the last five years in response to growing humanitarian needs caused by the conflict which started in 2012. DFID committed £2.25m in assistance in 2009, £5m in 2013, £28m in 2014 and has so far programmed £18m in 2015. UK funding has provided health care, livelihoods, protection and food assistance to CAR populations and CAR refugees over this period.

West Africa: Sanitation

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department has spent on (a) physical infrastructure and (b) hygiene promotion for water, sanitation and hygiene services in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas in (1) Sierra Leone and (2) Liberia in each of the last five years; and what such spending her Department has planned for in each of the next three years.

Grant Shapps: DFID has spent the following on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH) programmes in Sierra Leone and Liberia in each of the last five years, from its bilateral aid budget:  2009-10(GBP millions)2010-11(GBP millions)2011-12(GBP millions)2012-13(GBP millions)2013-14(GBP millions)Total(GBP millions)Sierra Leone£3.2£3.2£4.4£11.2£15.3£37.4Liberia£4£0.4  £2.5£6.8 £7.2 £3.6 £4.4 £11.2£17.8£44.2 This includes work on both physical infrastructure and hygiene promotion in rural and urban areas; however the data is not broken down in the format requested. These programmes resulted in over 1 million people gaining access to improved sanitation facilities in Sierra Leone and more than 250 tonnes of municipal solid waste being collected in Monrovia through proper channels.  The ongoing Ebola outbreak, which began in 2014, has devastated both countries. DFID has continued to provide support to WASH as part of our unprecedented £427m response to the crisis. In July this year, the Secretary of State approved a new £240m package to support the government of Sierra Leone in their plans to recover from the outbreak, as well as an additional £6m for the Government of Liberia. Programming, which is now underway, is likely to continue to include significant support for the WASH sector.

Africa: Conflict Prevention

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of its funding to the African Union Gender, Peace and Security Programme on each country in receipt of such funding.

Grant Shapps: UK support to the African Union Gender, Peace and Security Programme (GPSP) comes from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), which has funded the programme since financial year 2014/15. GPSP has delivered a number of high-impact outcomes, including the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI). To date the GPSP has: established and supported the role of Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security within the AU, raising the political profile of Gender across the continent; deployed a team of sexual violence experts to the Central African Republic to help care for victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; supported the formulation of the Gender Mainstreaming action plan for AMISOM, the African Union’s peacekeeping operation in Somalia; funded a conduct and discipline officer to work with the AU Peace Support Operations Department in embedding gender into all agreements between the AU and Troop Contributing Countries; and supported the African Union in responding to allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Somalia by delivering initiatives such as a helpline for victims.

Department for Education

Primary Education: Teachers

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many state-maintained primary schools in England have no male teachers on their permanent staff.

Nick Gibb: In November 2014, there were 3,516 state funded primary schools in England that reported having no male teachers in their service.[1]  [1] Source: School Workforce Census 2014: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/school-workforce-in-england-november-2014

Special Educational Needs

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many special educational needs co-ordinators were employed in each financial year since 2009.

Edward Timpson: The information requested is not available.   In order to ensure that we receive reliable information in future, we have contacted schools in the run up to the November 2015 school workforce census reminding them of their statutory obligations with regard to the appointing of a SEN coordinator. We have highlighted that they must record the identity of the teacher with these responsibilities. We will repeat this message shortly before the census takes place.

Languages: GCSE

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of pupils entered for GCSEs in (a) Gujarati, (b) modern Hebrew, (c) Bengali and (d) Mandarin Chinese in each year since 2009.

Nick Gibb: The requested information is provided in the table below. It is not possible to identify pupils entered for Mandarin Chinese from the Department for Education’s data. The department does hold information on the number of entries into GCSE Chinese which includes Mandarin Chinese and other Chinese subjects. The number of pupils entered for GCSEs in Chinese is also published in the GCSE statistical first release.[1]GCSE entries in selected modern foreign languagesYear[2]GujaratiModern HebrewBengali[3] Chinese[4] 2008/098734211,2822,4402009/107084311,1262,5422010/116764069952,4802011/126634409612,3072012/135903721,0022,3412013/145915001,0252,832 [1] www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2013-to-2014 (Subject time series table)[2] Data for all years is final[3] Includes Bengali (Any Other),Bengali (Chittagong/Noakhali) and Bengali (Sylheti)[4] Includes Chinese (Any Other),Chinese (Cantonese),Chinese (Hokkien/Fujianese),Chinese (Hakka) and Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua)

Education Funding Agency: Birmingham

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the Education Funding Authority first (a) had an interest in the Maddox offices property located in Birmingham Northfield, (b) entered negotiations with the site owners about purchasing that site and (c) agreed the sale of that site.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Education Funding Agency first became aware of the property on 26 November 2014 and negotiations began on 27 November 2014. The conditional contracts were exchanged on 13 March 2015 and completion of the sale occurred on 1 July 2015.

Education Funding Agency: Birmingham

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Education Funding Authority paid for the Maddox offices site located in Birmingham Northfield.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Secretary of State purchased, in the name of the Edge Academy Trust, 946 Bristol Road Northfield Birmingham B31 2LQ for the sum of £1,650,000 (exclusive of VAT).

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the Fifth Report from the Education Committee, Session 2014-15, HC 145, on Life Lessons: PSHE and SRE in Schools, published on 17 February 2015.

Edward Timpson: The government’s response to the Education Select Committee’s report ‘Life Lessons: PSHE and SRE in schools’ was published in July 2015. The response can be found online at www.gov.uk/government/publications/pshe-and-sre-in-schools-government-response.

Secondary Education: Assessments

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how she plans to ensure that there are sufficient A Level and GCSE examination markers in 2016; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have asked its Chief Regulator, Glenys Stacey, to write to the Honourable Member. A copy of her reply will be placed in the House Library.

GCE A-Level

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to issue guidance about the next phase of A Level reform; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education is currently consulting on draft content for some of the GCSEs and A levels which will be first taught in September 2017. These are GCSEs in astronomy, business, economics, engineering, geology, psychology and sociology; and AS and A levels in environmental science, history of art, music technology and philosophy. The department is also consulting on content for GCSE, AS and A level in design and technology, for first teaching in September 2017. The results of these consultations will be announced later in the year.   GCSEs and A levels in other subjects are under development, for first teaching in September 2017, and there will be consultations in due course.   For all subjects, content documents have been drafted by awarding organisations, with advice from subject experts and oversight from the Department for Education and Ofqual.

Languages

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June to Question 3853, when the consultation on the future of community languages will be launched.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education is currently in discussion with awarding organisations, Ofqual and others, including foreign embassies, to consider how best to maintain as wide a range of languages as possible at GCSE and A level. We are continuing to develop proposals to achieve this and will hold a more formal, public consultation in due course. I announced on 22 July 2015 that to avoid any gap in provision in certain languages we will, where necessary, extend the timetable for awarding organisations to continue with existing qualifications until September 2018.

Physical Education

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary school children are receiving more than two hours of physical education per week.

Edward Timpson: The government is providing primary schools with over £150 million per year of ring-fenced funding, paid directly to head teachers to improve PE and sport. The funding goes directly to primary schools to improve PE and sport. We published a research brief in September 2014 about how schools used the primary PE and sport premium and the impact of the fund on PE and sports provision. The findings from this independent research show that the mean amount of time spent on curricular PE in primary schools increased by 13 minutes from 109 to 122 minutes a week from 2012/13 to 2013/14. The full report will be published later in 2015.

Physical Education

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the quality of provision of physical education and school sport in secondary schools.

Edward Timpson: The government is providing primary schools with over £150 million per year of ring-fenced funding, paid directly to head teachers to improve PE and sport. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched a public consultation to inform the development of a new sports strategy and solicit views on how the government can ensure the continued engagement and participation of primary school pupils as they progress to secondary level. The consultation closes on Friday 2 October and can be found at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a-new-strategy-for-sport-consultation.   In January 2015, the Department for Education published revised content for PE GCSEs and A levels. We have reformed the qualifications to ensure they are high-quality, demanding and academically rigorous and prepare students for further and higher education, and employment. The new qualifications will be taught from 2016.   Over 4,000 secondary schools across the country are taking part in the Sainsbury’s School Games - the government’s framework for competitive sport. Over three quarters of children aged 11-15 years old (77.6%) played sport against other people in PE or games lessons. Half (49.8%) played sport in their school in organised competitions. There are currently 6,890 satellite clubs on education sites. These are community sports clubs based predominantly on school or college sites which provide new opportunities for young people. They aim to increase participation as students progress through education. Young people aged over 11 can also take part in Sportivate which offers six to eight weeks of free or subsidised coaching in a range of sports. A total of 518,860 young people aged 11-25 have been engaged in Sportivate to date.

School Meals

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish the Small Schools Taskforce report.

Mr Sam Gyimah: No decision has yet been made on the publication of the taskforce report.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what provision is made in schools for young adults to learn about money management.

Edward Timpson: In September 2014, financial literacy was made statutory for the first time as part of the curriculum for citizenship education for 11 to 16 year olds. Pupils are taught the functions and uses of money, the importance of personal budgeting, money management and the need to understand financial risk.   The government has recently introduced a Core Maths qualification that may be taken by post-16 students to prepare students for a variety of mathematical contexts they will encounter in future study, employment and life. This includes managing their personal finances.   We have also strengthened the national curriculum for mathematics to give pupils aged 5 to 16 the necessary mathematical skills they need to make important financial decisions about mortgages and loan repayments.  The programme of study for citizenship and mathematics can be found online: www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum.

Defamation

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of false allegations of child abuse or mistreatment made against staff in (a) professional care centres, (b) social services units and (c) other contexts in each of the last three years.

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will establish a scheme whereby people falsely accused of child abuse or mistreatment can claim for professional damages incurred as a result of such allegations.

Edward Timpson: Local authorities are responsible for putting in place arrangements for the appropriate management of allegations against people who work with children. Statuary guidance on handling allegations is set out in Working Together 2015 and Keeping Children Safe in Education.   The Department for Education does not hold records of allegations made against staff. While sympathetic to the position of those subject to false allegations on any matter, we have no plans to set up a scheme to enable claims for professional damages in these circumstances.

Childcare: Eligibility

Dr Tania Mathias: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what threshold for (a) individual and (b) household earnings she plans to introduce to determine eligibility for the Government's 30 hours free childcare scheme.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The new entitlement to 30 hours free childcare is intended to support working parents with the cost of childcare and enable them, where they want, to return to work or to work additional hours.   To meet the principle of designing a system that is simple for parents, the Government’s intention is that eligibility for 30 hours free childcare should broadly align with Tax-Free Childcare. In particular both parents, or the single parent in such households, will need to work the equivalent of 8 hours per week at the national minimum wage. Further detail on eligibility will be provided during passage of the Childcare Bill.

Schools: West Sussex

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the name is of each (a) community school, (b) voluntary aided school, (c) voluntary controlled school, (d) foundation school and (e) academy school in the county of West Sussex.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education publishes a list of all state-funded and independent schools in England on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-in-england   The list includes the name and type of establishment (community, voluntary aided etc.) for schools located in the West Sussex local authority area.

Ministry of Justice

Just Solutions International

Nigel Huddleston: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on the future of Just Solutions International.

Andrew Selous: Just Solutions international (JSi) was established in the previous parliament as the internal commercial brand of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). Given our ambitious justice reform programme and the need to focus departmental resources on domestic priorities, the Justice Secretary has decided that JSi should cease to operate. NOMS will therefore not pursue any new projects with international partners through JSi. One project led by NOMS through JSi is sufficiently far advanced that the Government has decided withdrawing at this late stage would be detrimental to HMG’s wider interests. Under the JSi brand, NOMS submitted an initial bid to the Saudi Arabian authorities in August 2014 to conduct a training needs analysis for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prison service staff, via ELM, an executive agency of the Saudi Ministry of Finance. Following the submission of a final bid in April 2015, NOMS is now liable for financial penalties should the bid be withdrawn. NOMS’s bid was signed off through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) process, and was supported by UKTI and the British Embassy in Riyadh. NOMS will therefore honour this outstanding bid and enter into a contract subject to the final decisions of ELM. All work relating to this project will be completed within 6 months of starting. My Department will continue to promote the rule of law, good governance and judicial reform internationally, working with FCO, DFID and other Government Departments as required. In future, any support will be provided on a cost recovery rather than a commercial basis.

Legal Aid Scheme: Ceredigion

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure the continuation of legal aid in the form of duty solicitor provision in Ceredigion.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Details of the steps we are taking in Ceredigion can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legal-aid-crime-tender-2015 (3 procurement areas update: 28 July 2015)

Legal Aid Scheme: Wales

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that debt solicitors provided through legal aid provide services bilingually in Wales.

Mr Shailesh Vara: All solicitors acting under the legal aid scheme in Wales are contractually obliged to ensure their services are accessible to and understandable by clients whose language of choice is Welsh, in accordance with the Welsh Language Act 1993 (as amended) and Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011.

Legal Aid Scheme

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate has been made of the number of criminal appeals departments in law firms that have closed since the changes to legal aid funding introduced in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 were introduced.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The Ministry of Justice has not made any estimate of the number of criminal appeals departments in law firms that have closed since the changes to legal aid funding introduced in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 were introduced.All Criminal Legal Aid Contract holders are entitled to undertake Criminal Appeals and Reviews work.

Taxis: Guide Dogs

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will introduce sentencing guidelines to stop taxis and private hire vehicles from refusing to carry guide dogs.

Andrew Selous: It is an offence under section 168 of the Equalities Act 2010 to refuse to take an assistance dog in a taxi or private hire vehicle. The maximum penalty is a level 3 fine (up to £1,000)Sentencing guidelines are a matter for the independent Sentencing Council. Guidelines are available on their website. Guidelines are not available for all offences, but there are general guidelines covering the assessment of seriousness, and magistrates’ guidelines about what to consider when determining the fine in individual cases, taking account of the seriousness of the offence and the means of the offender.

Legal Aid Scheme: Immigration

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make it his policy to reinstate immigration legal aid funding for unaccompanied children.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The majority of unaccompanied children applying for permission to remain in the UK will be seeking asylum, and are therefore able to apply for legal aid. Legal aid also remains available for immigration advice for victims of trafficking and modern slavery, including child victims. Applications for non-asylum immigration cases involve the provision of factual information and accompanying evidence, so lawyers are not usually required. Civil legal aid has been retained for the highest priority cases, where life or liberty is at stake, where there is a risk of serious physical harm, loss of home, or where children may be removed from a family. Exceptional case funding may be available in non-asylum immigration cases.

Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre: Sir Martin Narey

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his permission was (a) sought and (b) granted for Sir Martin Narey's access to Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre.

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with Sir Martin Narey on (a) his access to Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre and (b) his subsequent report.

Andrew Selous: The Secretary of State discussed the Ofsted Rainsbrook inspection with Sir Martin Narey and fully supported his proposed visit to the Secure Training Centre. The Secretary of State discussed his assessment of the Centre when he visited Rainsbrook on 10 July.

Knives: Sentencing

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prosecutions have led to a custodial sentence for knife crime in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Selous: The number of knife possession offences resulting in immediate custody in England and Wales, monthly from April 2014 to March 2015, is available via the link below. The most recent quarterly statistics were published on 11 June at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/knife-possession-sentencing-quarterly-brief-january-to-march-2015.Following the commencement of the relevant provisions in the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, offenders convicted of a second offence of possession of a knife or offensive weapon and sentenced on or after 17 July 2015 face a minimum custodial sentence of six months.The next set of statistics will be published tomorrow

Young Offenders: Reoffenders

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to reduce reoffending by 18 to 25 year olds.

Andrew Selous: The number of young adults aged 18-24 cautioned, convicted or released from custody in the 12 months ending September 2013 has fallen by 25% since 2002. We are committed to doing more to support young adult offenders whilst they are in prison and in the community to enable them to make an effective contribution to society and to reduce the likelihood of their re-offending. For the first time in recent history, offenders sentenced to less than 12 months in custody will receive supervision and support on release. A diverse range of organisations, including the voluntary sector, are providing individuals with support that aims to reduce their likelihood of reoffending, including help with finding or retaining employment, accommodation, and advice on finance and debt.

Missing Persons: Guardianship

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to enable families to apply to the courts for the legal right to manage a missing family member's finance and property affairs in their absence.

Dominic Raab: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for York Outer on 15 June 2015, which can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-08/1400/.

Church Commissioners

Churches: North West

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, which Church of England churches in the Diocese of (a) Blackburn, (b) Manchester, (c) Liverpool and (d) Carlisle were sold in 2014; and how many such churches were sold to (i) other named protestant churches, (ii) named orthodox churches, (iii) other named Christian organisations, (iv) named non-Christian organisations, (v) organisations planning to use them for housing and (vi) organisations planning to use them for other named community uses.

Mrs Caroline Spelman: From the records held centrally by the Church Commissioners, Closed Churches Division of the four dioceses mentioned only two closed churches were sold in 2014, both in the Diocese of Manchester, Primarily for use for nursery, playschool and other educational purposes, but not to named institutions.  Very few Church of England church buildings are closed for regular public worship in any year and where such buildings are closed, the duty placed on the Diocese and the Church Commissioners is to seek a suitable use for the building. In 2014, in addition to the two closed church buildings mentioned above a further 14 closed Church of England buildings were sold and 3 leased across England: 5 for community purposes; 3 for use as a monument; 5 for residential use; and 4 for worship by other Christian bodies.

Churches: Blackburn

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, which Church of England churches in the Diocese of Blackburn were subject to metal theft from rooves in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014; and which such churches were redundant.

Mrs Caroline Spelman: With regards to open churches the number of churches in the Blackburn Diocese which have suffered from metal theft can be found on the chart below. The chart shows the volume of claims have dropped dramatically since 2011 when the Scrap Metal Dealers Act was enforced there are still a small number of persistent gangs operating across the country who continue to damage and vandalise these local community assets. The total number of thefts does not tell the whole story as the cost to the individual parish which has suffered the damage is often considerable to repair, replace and take preventative steps against future thefts.Year Claim Made2011201220132014TotalDicoese of Blackburn73271413127   The Churches listed below have registered 50 thefts in the specified period and are the worst effected, in addition to the list below 49 other churches have registered 77 claims in this period. Listed 1 Lytham St Cuthbert – Grade 11 2 Colne St Bartholomew – Grade1 3 Chorley St George – Grade 11* 4 Chorley St Peter – Grade 11 5 Charnock Richard Christ Church – Grade 11 6 Cockerham St Michael – Grade 11* 7 Hoole St Michael – Grade 11* 8 Bamber Bridge St Saviour – Grade 11 9 Grimsargh St Michael – Grade 11 10 Walton-le-Dale St Leonard – Grade 11* 11 Church Kirk St James – Grade 11* 12 Accrington St John Grade 11 13 Over Kellet St Cuthbert Grade 11* 14 Leyland St James Grade 11 15 Mellor St Mary Grade II 16 Douglas in Parbold Christ Church Grade 11 17 Kirkham St Michael Grade 11* 18 Woodplumpton St Anne – Grade11* 19 Chorley St Laurence – Grade 11 * 20 Bolton le Sands Holy Trinity – Grade11*   Unlisted 21 Blackburn St Luke with St Philip 22 Layton St Mark 23 Thornton le Fylde Christ Church 24 Fleetwood St Nicholas25 Little Thornton St JohnClosed churches are the responsibility for the care and maintenance of a closed church rests with the Diocesan Board of Finance during the time that a use is being sought following closure. There are currently very few closed churches in the Diocese of Blackburn and we are not aware that there has been lead roof theft from any closed church in Blackburn Diocese in the years from 2012. We are aware of one earlier theft of lead from the roof of a former church building in the Great Harwood area of Accrington. This building has since been demolished and the site sold for residential development.

Ministry of Defence

Army: Apprentices

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether army apprenticeships at Level 3 require students to have achieved Level 2 qualifications in (a) English and (b) mathematics in order to complete the Level 3 apprenticeship.

Mark Lancaster: All soldiers undertaking a Level 3 Apprenticeship must achieve Level 2 functional skills in English and mathematics during the apprenticeship programme or must demonstrate that they have achieved a valid equivalent Level 2 qualification, such as a GCSE at grade A-C, before enrolment.

Armed Forces: Catering

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the catering cost was of each of his Department's UK training bases or camps in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Catering

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which agency or company is providing catering at each of his Department's UK training bases or camps; how many staff have been employed by each agency or company; how many days of training have been provided in each base or camp each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many embedded UK military personnel have served overseas in each year since 2005; in which military force or coalition such personnel served; how many such personnel were involved in armed conflict while embedded; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many embedded UK military personnel are currently serving overseas; in which military or coalition they are serving; and in which missions or conflicts such personnel are participating.

Michael Fallon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 September 2015 to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mary Creagh) to questions 8364 and 8367.



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Ministry of Defence Police: Pensions

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether discussions between his Department and the Cabinet Office on Ministry of Defence Police pension arrangements have concluded; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: Discussions between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Cabinet Office in respect of MOD Police pension arrangements concluded earlier this year. In the light of these discussions the Government offered officers an effective pension age which was a maximum of three years below State pension age as part of a package of revised terms and conditions of service. This offer has been rejected by the Defence Police Federation (DPF) following a ballot of members.Further discussions are now in progress between officials and the DPF.

Middle East: Military Aid

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance the armed forces are giving to refugees fleeing Daesh.

Penny Mordaunt: Direct responsibility for the provision of humanitarian assistance lies with the Department for International Development (DfID). However, last summer the Armed Forces, acting on behalf of DfID, air-dropped nearly 100 tonnes of life-saving humanitarian supplies, the majority to the besieged Yazidi community on Mount Sinjar as well as carrying out two further air drops to trapped groups in Amerli.While separate to the humanitarian response, the UK's military contribution to the Global Coalition against ISIL has helped the Coalition halt, hold and begin to roll back ISIL.

Mediterranean Sea: Refugees

Stuart McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2015 to Question 7650, how many people HMS Enterprise has rescued from the Mediterranean sea in each week since 29 June 2015.

Penny Mordaunt: Since deploying to the Mediterranean on 3 July 2015 in support of the EU Naval Forces Operation tackling migrant smuggling and trafficking (EUNAVFOR Med), HMS ENTERPRISE has rescued 453 migrants. All of the 453 migrants were rescued over the weekend of 22-23 August.

Armed Forces: Northern Ireland

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many foreign service personnel on exchanges served in Northern Ireland under Operation Banner.

Penny Mordaunt: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Department for Work and Pensions

Members: Correspondence

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department will respond to the letter dated 20 May 2015 from the hon. Member for Dudley North, reference ZA14622, on the bidding process for training contracts offered by his Department.

Justin Tomlinson: The Minister for Employment, my right hon. Friend the member of Witham (Priti Patel), replied on 28 July 2015

Carer's Allowance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to automatically increase on an annual basis the earnings limit for carer's allowance in line with annual increases in the national living wage.

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will replace the earnings limit for Carer's Allowance with an earnings taper.

Justin Tomlinson: The primary purpose of Carer’s Allowance is to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment. It was never intended to be a carer's wage nor a payment for the services of caring, and is therefore not comparable with the National Living Wage. The earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance is not linked to the number of hours worked. It is currently £110 per week, net of tax, National Insurance and various expenses. This offers help for carers who can undertake some employment in addition to their caring responsibilities. The limit was increased by 8 per cent in April 2015 from £102 per week. Around 4,000 people will benefit from this increase this year. The Government keeps the earnings limit and rules under review, including whether an increase in the threshold is warranted and affordable.

Jobcentres: Wallasey

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who was consulted by the person in his Department who took the decision to close Wallasey Jobcentre Plus before making that decision; and if he will make a statement on that decision.

Priti Patel: No decision has been made regarding the proposed closure of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus. We are currently in a period of consultation with key stakeholders ending Friday 18 September. A formal decision will be made after this time. As part of our ‘business as usual approach’ to achieving value for money from all our DWP estate, we routinely seek opportunities to make better use of the estate. This includes estate we currently have as well as opportunities to co-locate with other key stakeholders where the service to our claimants can be maintained or improved. The proposal to relocate services and staff from Wallasey Jobcentre into Birkenhead is part of that approach.

Jobcentres: Wallasey

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much will be saved by the closure of the Wallasey Jobcentre Plus in Liscard; which other locations in the Wirral were considered for closure; what assessment his Department made of the economic effect on Liscard town centre of the closure; for what reason no consultation was undertaken prior to that decision; and what assessment he has made of the potential financial, time and other costs to (a) claimants and (b) staff of the planned closure.

Priti Patel: No decision has been made regarding the proposed closure of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus. We are currently in a period of consultation with key stakeholders ending Friday 18 September. A formal decision will be made after this time. As part of our ‘business as usual approach’ to achieving value for money from all our DWP estate, we routinely seek opportunities to make better use of the estate. This includes estate we currently have as well as opportunities to co-locate with other key stakeholders where the service to our claimants can be maintained or improved. The proposal to relocate services and staff from Wallasey Jobcentre into Birkenhead is part of that approach.

Jobcentres: Wirral

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what average time is taken to deal with appointments at (a) Birkenhead Jobcentre Plus and (b) Wallasey Jobcentre Plus; and how many claimants used services at the (i) Birkenhead and (ii) Wallasey location in the last 12 months.

Priti Patel: Each claimant at any Jobcentre Plus is dealt with on an individual basis. However, there are standard appointment times at all Jobcentre Plus offices. The average interview time is 30 minutes per claimant. At Birkenhead Jobcentre Plus approximately 4,758 claimants used Jobcentre Plus services in the last 12 months. At Wallasey Jobcentre Plus approximately 3,686 claimants used Jobcentre Plus services in the last 12 months.

Jobcentres: Wallasey

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff who work at the Wallasey Jobcentre Plus in Liscard live within two miles of that office; and how many such staff will be (a) made redundant and (b) transferred as a result of the closure of that office.

Priti Patel: No decision has been made regarding the proposed closure of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus. We are currently in a period of consultation with key stakeholders ending Friday 18 September. A formal decision will be made after this time. There is currently no information on how many staff live within 2 miles of Wallasey. As part of our ‘business as usual' approach to achieving value for money from all our DWP estate, we routinely seek opportunities to make better use of the estate. This includes estate we currently have as well as opportunities to co-locate with other key stakeholders where the service to our claimants can be maintained or improved. The proposal to relocate services and staff from Wallasey Jobcentre into Birkenhead is part of that approach.

Jobcentres: Wallasey

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who within his Department took the decision to close the Wallasey Jobcentre Plus in Liscard; when that decision was taken; which criteria were employed in taking that decision; and when he will publish the business case for that decision.

Priti Patel: No decision has been made regarding the proposed closure of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus. We are currently in a period of consultation with key stakeholders ending Friday 18 September. A formal decision will be made after this time. As part of our ‘business as usual’ approach to achieving value for money from all our DWP estate, we routinely seek opportunities to make better use of the estate. This includes estate we currently have as well as opportunities to co-locate with other key stakeholders where the service to our claimants can be maintained or improved. The proposal to relocate services and staff from Wallasey Jobcentre into Birkenhead is part of that approach.

Department for Work and Pensions: Archives

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the Darlington Filestores site has not been included in the re-tendering bid for the Document Management and Associated Services (document storage) contract; and what his Department plans to do with the files held at this facility.

Justin Tomlinson: The decision for a single storage solution has been driven by the Department’s Business Strategy;· To increase digitalisation and move to digital by default which will reduce physical storage requirements.· To reduce DWP estates requirements.· To reduce costs and provide greater value for money for the taxpayer.

Department for Work and Pensions: Archives

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what legal advice his Department has received on the tendering process for the Document Management and Associated Services (document storage) bid.

Justin Tomlinson: Crown Commercial Service (CCS) on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions act as the Department’s managing agent on the tendering process for the Document Management and Associated Services (document storage).Where there is a retender of a single supplier contract under which the incumbent supplier is employing staff to provide services, whether under the contract which is being replaced or when exiting the future contract which is currently being procured, it is part of CCS’s standard approach to seek legal advice from Government Legal Department to consider the terms of the contracts underlying the transfer.We will not publish the legal advice received as part of this procurement. Any advice that CCS receives from Government Legal Department is subject to legal privilege and is not disclosable, even in a court of law.

Personal Independence Payment

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons his Department is not permitting Capita to provide dual-tape deck recorders for use by claimants of personal independence payments who want their assessment to be recorded.

Justin Tomlinson: The recording of consultations by assessment providers is not part of the contractual specification for Personal Independence Payment assessments. However, claimants can ask to record their own assessment, provided they comply with the conditions put in place: They must: · inform the provider in advance;· be able to provide a complete and accurate copy of the (CD/Audio cassette only) recording to the Health Professional at the end of the consultation; and· sign a declaration form to agree that they will not use the recording for any unlawful purpose.

Vacancies: Clinical Trials

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many clinical trials have been advertised to jobseekers through Jobcentre Plus as employment opportunities.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on the advertising of clinical trials to jobseekers as employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement.

Priti Patel: The Department for Work & Pensions cannot provide a figure on ‘how many clinical trials have been advertised through Jobcentre Plus as employment opportunities’ because vacancies such as this are not accepted on Universal Jobmatch as they breach the Terms & Conditions, therefore no statistical information is held. Universal Jobmatch is the main conduit by which job vacancies are advertised by Jobcentre Plus, however there will be instances where vacancies are advertised locally in Jobcentre Plus offices outside of Universal Jobmatch. The Department for Work & Pension’s policy around clinical trial vacancies on Universal Jobmatch is; any vacancies that are advertised as clinical trials on Universal Jobmatch would not be accepted as they breach the Terms & Conditions. Where a clinical trial vacancy is identified on Universal Jobmatch the vacancy will immediately be removed and the employer contacted to advise that they have breached the Terms & Conditions and that any subsequent breaches could result in their account being suspended.

Social Security Benefits: Mental Illness

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what specialist training is given to employment and support allowance and personal independence payment assessors on handling claimants with mental health issues.

Justin Tomlinson: All healthcare professionals (HCPs) who carry out either Work Capability Assessments or Personal Independence Payment assessments undergo thorough training in disability analysis, as well as training in specific conditions, including mental health conditions. Mental Health Champions are available to provide advice and support to HCPs on health conditions and disabilities affecting mental, cognitive, intellectual and behavioural function.

Jobclubs

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants have (a) participated in and (b) found work through Work Clubs in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: The information is not available. Work Clubs are taken forward at the discretion of Jobcentre Plus District Managers.

Employment Schemes

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants have found work through a placement with a sector-based work academy in each year since such schemes have been available.

Priti Patel: Official statistics record starts to sector-based work academy pre-employment training only. The Department does not collate information on outcomes, nor the number of benefit claimants finding work through a sector-based work academy placement.

Personal Independence Payment

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is issued by his Department on how long successful claimants of personal independence payment should wait before their first payment arrives once a decision has been made to award the claim.

Justin Tomlinson: Once a decision has been made to award a claim, payment is activated. If there are no checks triggered payment is automatically activated.   The majority of new claimants to Personal Independence Payment will be paid any arrears of benefit within a few days of the decision being made.

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new claims for (a) tax credits, (b) jobseeker's allowance, (c) employment and support allowance, (d) income support and (e) housing benefit have been made since April 2014.

Priti Patel: Part (a) Tax Credits Number of new Tax Credit claims received for the period April 2014 to end July 2015 is included in the list below: Claims received 12/13 - 1,072,007Claims received 13/14 - 1,019,719Claims received 14/15 - 922,661Claims received April 15 to end July 15 - 320,673 Part (b) Jobseekers Allowance; Part (c) Employment and Support Allowance and Part (d) Income Support The information requested for Part (b) Jobseekers Allowance, Part (c) Employment and Support Allowance and Part (d) Income Support is not available in the Public Domain. Part (e) Housing Benefit Information on the number of claims for Part (e) Housing Benefit is published and available at:- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/housing-benefit-statistics-on-speed-of-processing-2014-to-2015

Vetting: Costs

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his Department's policy to fund Standard disclosure and barring checks (DBS) for jobseekers' allowance claimants who have received a job offer conditional on obtaining a DBS certificate.

Priti Patel: Jobcentre Plus local offices can already use the Flexible Support Fund for DBS checks if they think this is appropriate on a case by case basis.

Social Security Benefits: Students

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many students diagnosed with cancer have applied for (a) personal independence payments and (b) disability living allowance since April 2014; and how many such applications have been successful.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department does not collect information on the occupation of claimants for either Personal Independence Payments or Disability Living Allowance.

Children: Maintenance

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answers of 30 June 2015 to Questions 4382 and 4385, what his Department's planning assumptions are on (a) the CSA case closure process and the numbers and rate at which cases will be closed and (b) the proportion of former CSA cases by segment expected to apply to the 2012 statutory child maintenance scheme in the case of proactive case closures cases and reactive case closure cases.

Priti Patel: a) The closure of CSA cases is being progressed in accordance with “The Ending Liability Scheme”. The CSA cases currently being selected for closure are those in segment 4; having completed the planned selection of segments 1, 2 and 3. Cases that newly meet segment 1, 2 or 3 criteria (due to changes to the compliance status or the maintenance calculation value of the case) are identified and selected for closure alongside the current segment. Approximately 7,900 cases per week are selected for case closure, at which time those clients are notified that their CSA liability will end in 6 months time and are signposted to Child Maintenance Options to discuss and consider their future child maintenance arrangements. b) The information is in the table. The proportion of CSA clients expected to apply to the 2012 statutory child maintenance schemeProactive case closureSegment 124%Segment 245%Segment 3 and 450%Segment 550%Reactive case closure63% Notes: 1. The child support scheme for timing and related matters to ending liability in existing cases (“the ending liability scheme”) can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-maintenance-ending-liability-scheme 2. Assumptions are monitored and reviewed based on actual behaviours and findings as the CSA programme of case closure progresses.

Social Security Benefits

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department collected statistics before May 2015 on the proportion of households affected by the benefit cap who were in receipt of (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) income support, (c) employment and support allowance, (d) carer's allowance and (e) other benefits.

Justin Tomlinson: We held the administrative data on people claiming each benefit prior to May 2015 but this was not included in the benefit cap analytical dataset, and therefore, it was not possible to collate into official statistics. For data from May 2015 onwards we have carried out the necessary additional processing and quality assurance to add this information into the benefit cap analytical dataset and ensure it can be included in benefit cap official statistics.

Social Security Benefits

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to collect information on changes in the number of people claiming (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) income support, (c) employment and support allowance and (d) carer's allowance following changes in the benefit cap.

Justin Tomlinson: We continually assess the statistics we publish to ensure that they include relevant information on the characteristics of capped households, their dependents and on the cap amounts associated with each household.

Parents: Pay

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to review the rate at which small businesses can recover statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave pay.

Priti Patel: Small employers, defined as those who have paid £45,000 or less in gross national insurance in the preceding tax year, can recover all of the Statutory Maternity, Adoption, Paternity and Shared Parental Pay they pay out plus an additional amount in compensation for the employer’s share of the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) due on the statutory payments. The current rate of compensation paid to small employers is 3%. The Statutory Maternity Pay (Compensation of Employers) and Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations 1994 set out how compensation is calculated and, in addition, require it to be assessed annually which is done alongside the annual uprating of benefits. The rate derived for Statutory Maternity Pay is also applied to Statutory Adoption, Paternity and Shared Parental Pay.

Welfare Reform and Work Bill

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will conduct a cumulative impact assessment of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill for (a) carers, (b) women and (c) people in receipt of tax credits.

Priti Patel: The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July. These are available on the Parliament website.http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/welfarereformandwork/documents.html

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of times sanctions are incorrectly imposed on employment and support allowance and jobseeker's allowance claimants.

Priti Patel: The decision to temporarily halt a benefit payment is always thoroughly considered and is not something we do lightly. Our most important consideration is getting the correct decision as soon as possible and there are a number of steps in the decision making process to ensure this happens. Independent Labour Market Decision Makers fully consider each case taking into account all of the evidence presented, including any evidence of good reason put forward by a jobseeker, in accordance with current legislation or policy to make a fair, balanced and consistent decision. Additionally jobseekers can ask for the decision to be reconsidered and appeal to an independent tribunal. When decisions are overturned, it is often because the jobseeker brought forward new evidence which wasn’t made available to Decision Makers at the time the original decision was made.

Employment and Support Allowance

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employment and support allowance claimants with (a) Parkinson's disease, (b) rheumatoid arthritis, (c) motor neurone disease, (d) multiple sclerosis and (e) cystic fibrosis have been (i) placed in the support group, (ii) placed in the work-related activity group and (iii) found fit for work since 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Priti Patel: Outcomes of initial and repeat Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) functional assessments and Incapacity Benefits Reassessments (IBR) by disease code: October 2008 – September 2014   Cystic FibrosisSpinal Muscular AtrophyParkinson’s DiseaseMultiple SclerosisOther Rheumatoid ArthritisInitial claimSG8001,1001,5006,9003,000WRAG1001007002,6003,400FFW100-5001,7003,800Repeat claimSG5002001,1007,0004,300WRAG100-5002,2003,900FFW--1003001,100IBR claimSG6002001,20015,0005,800WRAG100-3002,6005,000FFW---3001,100  Source: Data in the tables above is derived from administrative data held by the DWP and assessment data provided by Atos Healthcare. Notes:1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. “-“denotes nil or under 50.2. SG – Support GroupWRAG – Work Related Activity GroupFFW – Fit For Work3. The outcome recorded is the final DWP Decision Maker’s decision or the recommendation made by the Atos Healthcare Professional where the Decision Maker’s decision is not yet available.4. Motor neurone disease is shown in the table as 'Spinal muscular atrophy'.5. The data presented above comes from benefit claims data held by the Department for Work and Pensions. In October 2008, ESA replaced IB for new claims. Starting with a trial in October 2010, and reaching a full scale national roll-out in April 2011, existing IB claims began to be phased out, with claimants reassessed to see if they qualify for ESA instead.6. The reassessment of existing incapacity benefits claimants was rolled out nationally from April 2011.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Habitual Residence Test

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Habitual Residence Test on the ability of UK citizens to claim jobseeker's allowance.

Priti Patel: It has always been the case that any UK national who returns to this country after an extended period must demonstrate they are habitually resident to be eligible for income-related benefits. Since 1 January 2014, most jobseekers must also have been living in the UK for three months before any consideration can be given to whether they are habitually resident to be eligible to receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. Following concerns raised about the impact on returning UK nationals, regulations were amended from 9 November 2014 to exempt from the three month residence requirement members of the Armed Forces and Crown servants who were serving abroad and others who had paid certain types of UK national insurance contributions during their absence abroad.

Department for Work and Pensions: Archives

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the Darlington Filestores site will not be included in the re-tendered contract between his Department and Capita Filestores; and what his plans are for the files held at that facility.

Justin Tomlinson: The decision for a single storage solution has been driven by the Department’s Business Strategy; · To increase digitalisation and move to digital by default which will reduce physical storage requirements.· To reduce DWP estates requirements.· To reduce costs and provide greater value for money for the taxpayer.

Department for Work and Pensions: Archives

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish all legal advice provided to his Department on the Document Management and document storage procurement process between Filestores; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: Crown Commercial Service (CCS) on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions act as the Department’s managing agent for the Document Management and document storage procurement process between filestores.Where there is a retender of a single supplier contract under which the incumbent supplier is employing staff to provide services, whether under the contract which is being replaced or when exiting the future contract which is currently being procured, it is part of CCS’s standard approach to seek legal advice from the Government Legal Department to consider the terms of the contracts underlying the transfer.We will not publish the legal advice received as part of this procurement. Any advice that CCS receives from Government Legal Department is subject to legal privilege and is not disclosable, even in a court of law.

Social Security Benefits: Immigrants

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that migrants entering the UK do not receive instant access to welfare benefits.

Priti Patel: We have strict measures in place to ensure benefits are only paid to those people who have a legal right to live and work in the UK. Additionally, people coming to the UK, or returning here, must demonstrate that they are habitually resident to be eligible for income-related benefits. Since 1 January 2014, most migrant jobseekers must also have been living in the UK for three months before any consideration can be given to whether they are habitually resident to be eligible to receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people received assessments for both employment and support allowance and personal independence payment in (a) 2014 and (b) the first six months of 2015.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average cost of an individual assessment for (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payment was in the last period for which figures are available.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department considers this information to be commercially sensitive and release would prejudice the interests of service providers and the Department’s future dealings with them.

Means-tested Benefits

Dr Tania Mathias: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether means-testing for the purpose of calculating benefits is calculated using income before or after deductions for pension contributions are made.

Priti Patel: For claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support allowance or Pension Credit, half of any contributions towards an occupational or personal pension scheme are deducted from any income from employed earners’ employment taken into account when calculating entitlement. In the case of self-employed earners, half of all premiums paid into a personal pension scheme are deducted from the claimant’s income taken into account. For Universal Credit, earned income is only taken into account after allowing for 100% of pension contributions to appropriate schemes. Universal Credit is therefore intended to incentivise more people on a low income to put money aside to save for their later lives.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Exhaust Emissions

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in which post codes in the UK agreed limits for air pollution were breached in the most recent year available.

Rory Stewart: Location data for limit value exceedances is compiled at a zone level and has also been converted to local authority level to assist local authority air quality assessments. With over 1 million postcodes in the UK the information requested could only be converted into postcode level data at a disproportionate cost. 194 local authorities exceeded the annual mean limit values for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in 2013. A list of these local authorities is attached. 



Local authority exceedances 2013
(PDF Document, 32.67 KB)

Stray Dogs: India and Romania

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has held with (a) her ministerial colleagues and (b) her foreign counterparts on the culling of stray dogs in (i) Romania and (ii) India.

George Eustice: Defra Ministers have had no such discussions.

Rabbits: Animal Welfare

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will review the working of section 14 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and publish a new Code of Conduct relating to rabbits to bring the living space and welfare requirements for rabbits more in line with those in effect in other EU countries.

George Eustice: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 provides a comprehensive legal framework protecting the welfare of kept rabbits. Given that owners and potential owners can obtain specific advice on rabbit keeping from rabbit welfare and other animal welfare organisations, there is no need to introduce a statutory code of practice for pet rabbits under section 14 of the Act.There is no specific EU wide legislation for the protection of farmed rabbits. In England, they are protected by the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 and Defra’s code of recommendations for farmed rabbits. This code reflects the housing requirements as set out in the 2005 European Food Safety Authority’s scientific opinion on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits.

Timber: EU Law

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that wood or paper products from illegal or unsustainable timber sources are not being sold or used in the UK.

Rory Stewart: Defra is committed to tackling the trade in illegal timber. We implement the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), which makes it an offence to place illegally logged timber on the EU market for the first time, and the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Regulation, which aims to combat illegal logging and improve the supply of legal timber to the EU. The EU FLEGT Regulation establishes Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) between the EU and timber producing countries. Once VPAs have been agreed, timber producing countries will issue exports with a ‘FLEGT licence’ which verifies the timber’s legality.   Our efforts in these areas were reflected in WWF’s 2014 ‘EU Government Barometer’ on illegal logging and trade, where we received the highest score of all the EU Member States, see: http://barometer.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/government_barometer.   The Government’s Timber Procurement Policy requires central government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies to procure timber and timber products that are both legal and sustainable.

Timber: EU Action

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to (a) back amendments to the EU Timber Regulation so that it covers all timber and wood products and (b) support at a European level proposals by the World Wild Fund for Nature to enable a market in 100 per cent sustainable timber by 2020.

Rory Stewart: Earlier this year, Defra responded to the current EU review of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) to recommend that the scope of the regulation is broadened to cover more timber products. We believe this would allow the EUTR to better meet its objectives in preventing illegal timber entering the EU market.   It is positive that UK organisations are committing to trade in both legal and sustainable timber by signing up to WWF’s Forest Campaign. We are supportive of companies across the EU making similar commitments through this campaign.

Wildlife: Import Controls

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will hold discussions with UK airlines on the transit of hunting trophies through UK airports.

Rory Stewart: There are no current plans to hold discussions with UK airlines on this subject. It is at the discretion of each airline whether they wish to allow the transport of hunting trophies. However, the UK Government is working within the EU to introduce stricter hunting trophy import controls. These ensure that not only must the exporting country be satisfied that the animal was hunted sustainably but the importing country must also undertake this check. In this way the import of hunting trophies of certain species from certain countries is currently prohibited by the EU.

Porpoises: Conservation

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Report No. 544 of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, on the identification of discrete and persistent areas of relatively high harbour porpoise density in the wider UK marine area, published in March 2015, for what reasons the 90th percentile was used as the cut-off point for the threshold of the prediction of porpoise presence; whether the same cut-off point is used (a) for prediction of other marine mammals and (b) by other EU countries; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the non-inclusion of Swansea Bay as an identified breeding site of harbour porpoise and Special Area of Conservation in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report Number 544, published in March 2015; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Report No. 544 of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, on the identification of discrete and persistent areas of relatively high harbour porpoise density in the wider UK marine area, published in March 2015, takes into account data on the presence of harbour porpoise identified in the 2nd edition of the CCW Atlas of Marine Mammals of Wales and the Pierpoint Reports of 2006 and 2008; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Report No. 544 of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, on the identification of discrete and persistent areas of relatively high harbour porpoise density in the wider UK marine area, published in March 2015, identifies breeding sites for harbour porpoise as required by the 1992 EU Habitats Directive; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: Predicted porpoise density at or above the 90th percentile (i.e. areas that had the top 10% of predicted porpoise density) was chosen as the threshold to define ‘high density’ based on a method used by Embling et al. (2010)[i]. This method considered boundary placement to delineate protected areas for harbour porpoise using a perimeter length to area ratio approach. By comparing areas with the top 1%, 5% and 10% of porpoise densities, the perimeter–area ratio was lowest (desirable) and its confidence interval was narrowest (greater certainty) for areas defined by the top 10% threshold (i.e. equivalent to the 90th percentile). The Inter-Agency Marine Mammal Working Group therefore considered it appropriate to adopt this published approach for the analyses undertaken in Report 544. Both Embling et al. (2010) and Report 544 have been subject to peer review by experts.Member States, including the UK, use Annex III of the Habitats Directive and additional EU Guidance in the identification of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), but decisions on implementation are taken at the national level. This includes the determination of appropriate thresholds.The identification of breeding sites for porpoise is not a requirement of Annex III of the EU Habitats Directive. A representative large-scale picture of porpoise calve distribution could not be attained from the data set that informed Report 544, and therefore was unable to support the identification of breeding areas.The CCW Atlas of Marine Mammals of Wales included data collected and reported on in Pierpoint 2006 and 2008. All data from the Atlas were submitted to the Joint Cetacean Protocol, which provided the dataset that informed Report 544 where consents from the data providers were given.The designation of SACs is a devolved responsibility, and decisions with regards to the Swansea Bay area are for the Welsh Government.Report 544 is one step in wider assessment of information towards the identification of possible SACs for harbour porpoise, carried out by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Country Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies. Full information on the assessment process and other key documentation would be made available in a public consultation, providing an opportunity to comment on the scientific process undertaken.  [i] Embling, C. B., Gilibrand, P. A., Gordon, J., Shrimpton, J., Stevick, P. T. & Hammond, P. S. 2010. Using habitat models to identify suitable sites for marine protected areas for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Biological Conservation 143, 267–279.

Flood Control: Lincolnshire

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Environment Agency on improving flood defences in (a) Lincoln and (b) Lincolnshire.

Rory Stewart: The Secretary of State regularly discusses progress with the delivery of the six year £2.3 billion flood defence capital investment programme with the Environment Agency. Within that programme, Lincoln has been allocated around £1.1 million and Lincolnshire over £164 million to develop a range of 72 flood and coastal erosion protection measures in the city and the county.

Timber: EU Action

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with its EU counterparts on meeting targets for the (a) illegal and (b) sustainable timber trade; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: Defra is committed to tackling the trade in illegal timber. We implement the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), which makes it an offence to place illegally logged timber on the EU market for the first time, and the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Regulation, which aims to combat illegal logging and improve the supply of legal timber to the EU. Defra officials are engaged in coordinating implementation of the EUTR and FLEGT Regulation across the EU, and in the EU-wide reviews of these Regulations.   The Government’s Timber Procurement Policy (TPP) requires central government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies to procure timber and timber products that are both legal and sustainable. Information on the TPP has been shared with other interested EU Member States.

Oilseed Rape: Neonicotinoids

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether in the case of the use of the derogation agreed between the EU and the UK Government allowing the use of neonicotinoid seed dressings on oilseed rape seed in limited areas she will require those farmers making use of the derogation to take other measures, such as lengthening the time between oilseed rape crops before they carry out insecticidal seed dressings, as required under EU Directive 2009/128/EC on establishing a framework for community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides.

George Eustice: Directive 2009/128/EC requires Member States to promote low pesticide-input pest management. To this end, the Directive sets out a number of general principles of integrated pest management, including crop rotation. Crop rotation is a normal farming management practice. Changes to rotations cannot normally be made rapidly. The recent emergency authorisations for use of two neonicotinoid seed treatments were granted following expert advice that this use was limited and controlled, was subject to stewardship arrangements, and was necessary because of a danger which could not be contained by any other reasonable means. In reaching this view, experts considered non-chemical means of control, including crop rotation. The conditions of authorisation include a requirement that treated seed can only be used in a given field on the basis of a recommendation from a qualified agronomist.

Common Agricultural Policy

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential effect on her Department's economic and environmental indicators of the priority areas for simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy she announced on 21 July 2015.

George Eustice: We do not believe the changes we are proposing will have any impact on the environment.We want the Commission’s CAP simplification exercise to deliver changes which reduce costs and burdens for paying agencies and farmers, without compromising taxpayer value for money.

Soil

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to (a) protect and (b) increase soil fertility.

Rory Stewart: The Government recognises that soil is essential for underpinning a range of benefits, including food production, but also biodiversity, carbon storage and flood protection.New national standards for agricultural soils under cross compliance were introduced in January. These rules require farmers in receipt of payments under the Common Agricultural Policy to prevent soil erosion which contributes to the loss of nutrients from soil, to maintain soil cover, and to protect the level of organic matter in their soils.The Government is investing in a significant research programme to improve our understanding of soil condition and resilience, which includes joint programmes with the Research Councils.

Dairy Products: Exports

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which countries do not allow imports of dairy products from the UK; what steps she is taking to reduce the number of countries which do not allow such imports; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: The UK has access to 79 non-EU countries for dairy products. The Government works in partnership with industry to identify new markets and conducts negotiations with the importing authorities to agree certification conditions. Access to new markets such as Morocco and Serbia supported growth of 25% in UK dairy exports to non-EU countries in 2014. Exports to non-EU markets now account for 23% of UK dairy exports

Supermarkets: Farmers

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessments she has made of the fairness of contracts between supermarkets and farmers; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: The Government believes it is in everyone’s interest that all operators in the supply chain should receive a fair price for their goods. That means sharing the risk across the supply chain and I am pleased that some supermarkets already do this. To help improve the resilience of the British dairy industry and provide a firmer footing for businesses to take advantage of the growing demand for British produce, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board will be facilitating an urgent industry-led review of best practice in the dairy supply chain.

Milk: Prices

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support she is giving to dairy farmers who are receiving less for their milk products than the cost of production; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: The European Commission listened to our calls for urgent action at Agriculture Council on 7 September by responding with a comprehensive support package for EU farmers of €500million which will focus on i) addressing the cash-flow difficulties farmers are facing, ii) stabilising market, and iii) addressing the functioning of the food chain. We will be pushing the Commission to urgently present more details to flesh out these proposals and to deliver the support in a way that provides the best outcome for British farmers.   We have also set out a series of initiatives to help improve the resilience of the British dairy industry, by:  Working with the food industry on more consistent labelling and branding of British dairy products.Work on our new commitment to encourage public bodies to buy British Using the Food is GREAT brand to showcase high quality British produce at home and overseas.   We have already introduced a fairer tax system for farmers, cut burdensome red tape, launched a £24million Growth programme to help rural businesses, including dairies, expand and diversify and opened 600 new export markets for dairy since 2010.

Dairy Products: Russia

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to allow UK dairy products to be exported to Russia; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: In August 2014, as a response to Western sanctions over Russian intervention in Ukraine, the Russian authorities introduced a retaliatory EU-wide ban on agriculture products, including dairy. This has been extended for a further year until August 2016. The European Commission has introduced a package of measures for the dairy industry to help mitigate the effects of the ban. The Government’s priority has been to support industry in identifying alternative markets for their products. The Secretary of State is working with her EU counterparts to increase exports through promotion and securing new trade agreements. However, the UK Government believes it is essential to stand firm against Russian action.

Slaughterhouses: CCTV

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to respond to the Farm Animal Welfare Committee's opinion on CCTV in slaughterhouses, published in February 2015; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 24 June 2015, PQs UIN 2944 and 2945.

Hunting

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prevent the illegal hunting of mammals with dogs in the UK.

Rory Stewart: Hunting is devolved in Scotland. The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 bans hunting with dogs in Scotland.   In England and Wales, the Hunting Act 2004 bans all hunting of wild mammals with dogs, except where it is carried out in accordance with the exemptions set out in Schedule 1 to the Act.   The Home Office has the lead departmental responsibility for the enforcement of the Hunting Act 2004. Anyone who believes an offence is taking place, or has taken place, under the Act should report the matter to the Police, who are the law enforcement authority and deal with complaints of illegal hunting.

Home Office

Police: Gwent

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost to the public purse (a) was of the Gwent Police Authority in the financial year 2010-11 and (b) has been of the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner in each year since 2012; and what assessment she has made of the value for money of the Police and Crime Commissioner in Gwent.

Mike Penning: The Government does not collate centrally information in respect of the cost of the former Gwent Police Authority or the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, it is the responsibility of PCCs to determine how each police area’s funding settlement is allocated, including setting the police force budget and the running of the PCC’s office.The 2011 Act specifies that PCCs must publish key information as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 (and amended in 2012) sets out what information must be published: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/3050/contents/madeThe publication of this information enables the local electorate to judge whether the PCC is making the best use of public money at the ballot box.PCCs perform a completely different role from the old Police Authorities. PCCs are providing accountable, visible leadership, and making a real difference to policing locally. Not only have they brought real local accountability to how Chief Constables and their forces perform, they are working hard to ensure that their local communities have a stronger voice in policing.The Home Affairs Select Committee recognised in their 2014 report that individual police and crime commissioners are providing greater clarity of leadership for policing in their areas, and are increasingly recognised for the strategic direction they are providing. In contrast, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary found, in 2010, that only four of the 22 police authorities inspected were judged to have performed well in two of their primary functions: setting strategic direction and ensuring value for money.

Police: Emergency Calls

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department provides on training to be provided to call handlers in police control rooms.

Mike Penning: As an operational matter, the deployment and training of call handlers in police control rooms is determined by Chief Constables.

Rape: West Midlands

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of rapes reported to the West Mercia Police from 2013-14 to 2014-15.

Karen Bradley: Rape and sexual violence are devastating crimes. We have made protecting women and girls from violence and supporting victims and survivors of sexual violence a key priority. We want victims to have the confidence to report these crimes, knowing they will get the support they need and that everything will be done to bring offenders to justice.These are also under-reported crimes, and the Office for National Statistics report that recent increases in police recorded crime are likely to be due to improved recording by the police and an increase in the willingness of victims to come forward and report these crimes to the police. The number of prosecutions and convictions for rape are at their highest ever levels.The Government continues to support improvements to the criminal justice system’s response to victims of sexual violence. We have supported the publication of data on rape for every police force in the country as a basis for improving recording and investigations of rape and ensure that guidance on investigating and prosecuting rape is implemented in every police force area. The Rape Action Plan, led by the Crown Prosecution Service and the police, is helping to ensure that every report of rape is treated seriously and every victim is given the help they deserve.

HM Treasury

Pensions: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Scotland have made use of the new pension flexibilities introduced on 6 April 2015.

Harriett Baldwin: The July Budget document revealed that over 85,000 individuals had taken advantage of the new flexibilities for accessing pensions that were introduced in April 2015. Reliable data for Scotland is not available.   HMRC plans to publish statistics on take up of pensions flexibility in the Autumn

Pensions: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Scotland have received guidance from the Pension Wise guidance service (a) face-to-face, (b) by telephone and (c) online.

Ian Murray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Scotland who have made use of the pension flexibilities introduced on 6 April 2015 received guidance from the Pension Wise guidance service (a) by telephone, (b) face-to-face and (c) online.

Harriett Baldwin: The pension freedoms introduced on 6 April mean that the 320,000 individuals retiring each year with defined contribution pension savings are able to access them as they wish, and around 2 million people aged over 55 now have more options when they retire. Data for the proportion of people who have used the freedoms following a Pension Wise appointment is not collected.   As announced on 21 July, nearly 18,000 free Pension Wise guidance appointments over the phone and face to face are being delivered and more than 925,000 people have used the Pension Wise website, with many people returning to the site regularly.

Local Enterprise Partnerships: Leeds

Paula Sherriff: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what meetings he has had with Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership since the 2015 General Election; and what plans he has to meet with that organisation before 15 August 2015.

Greg Hands: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

Debts

Mr George Howarth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the terms of reference are for his Department's forthcoming review of debt administration.

Mr George Howarth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the timetable is for his Department's forthcoming review of debt administration.

Mr George Howarth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department's joint legal review of debt administration with the Insolvency Service plans to address long-standing issues within the debt advice sector.

Mr George Howarth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to implement a statutory scheme for the regulation of debt management services.

Harriett Baldwin: The Government will make an announcement on next steps in due course.

Welfare Tax Credits

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July to Question 7590, what his timetable is for publishing updated guidance and advice on the implementation of changes to tax credit entitlement arising from the Summer Budget 2015; and if he will publish an online calculator incorporating those changes to tax credits.

Damian Hinds: HM Revenue and Customs will be in contact with those individuals affected by any changes to their tax credit entitlements in due course. I refer the hon member to the answer given by the Financial Secretary on 15 July to question 6497.

Barclays: Cyprus

Daniel Zeichner: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on the number of British citizens living in Cyprus who will be affected by the decision by Barclays Bank to close the accounts of people with less than £100,000; and if he will issue advice to such people on how to access banking services.

Harriett Baldwin: Decisions on maintaining accounts are for commercial management.   Barclays customers affected by this issue may wish to call Barclays’ Specialist Team on +44 (0) 191 541 2000 for advice. The team has been set up to handle calls related to this issue

Funerals: Insurance

Julian Knight: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will assess the potential merits of creating an ombudsman for the funeral plans industry to investigate alleged instances of undeclared fees being deducted from the monies paid into such plans after the plan-holder has passed away.

Harriett Baldwin: The government believes that consumers should be treated fairly and, as with all commercial transactions for services, customers of funeral plans have protection under the law from the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. From 1 October this year the Consumer Rights Act 2015 will replace the Supply of Goods and Services Act for business to consumer contracts, bringing even greater consumer protection.   In addition the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) stipulates rules to ensure that sums paid by customers to funeral plans are safeguarded and available to pay for the funeral when needed.   The industry also has a self-regulatory body called the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA) and firms can seek registration with the FPA. The FPA provides a conciliation service to resolve disputes between funeral providers of registered trust-based funeral plans and customers.

Insolvency

Karen Lumley: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to reform personal insolvency to make it easier for people who have been the subject of either bankruptcy or a Debt Relief Order to obtain a better credit rating afterwards.

Harriett Baldwin: The Government believes it is important that lenders act responsibly when deciding whether to grant credit, including checking the consumer’s ability to repay. Most lenders use Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) to do this.   Adverse information, such as details of bankruptcy or Debt Relief Orders, is normally held on a consumer’s credit report for six years. Details automatically disappear after this time has elapsed.   Consumers can add a Notice to their credit report explaining any special circumstances which led to their financial difficulty and explaining how their situation has changed. A lender should take this into account when making lending decisions.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Nuclear Installations: Decommissioning

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to Box 3, page 81, of her Department's Annual Report and Account 2014-15, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of the increase in the estimated costs of nuclear decommissioning.

Andrea Leadsom: My rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State keeps the costs of all DECC’s policies under review. Decisions on departmental budgets will be made as part of the current Spending Review, due to report in the Autumn.

Fuel Poverty: Greenwich and Woolwich

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the number of people in Greenwich and Woolwich constituency affected by fuel poverty in each year since 2007.

Andrea Leadsom: Fuel poverty is measured at a household rather than an individual level.   The Low Income High Costs (LIHC) indicator is used to measure fuel poverty in England, following recommendations from Professor Hills’ independent review of fuel poverty.   Sub-regional fuel poverty levels are modelled using a combination of national data taken from the English Housing Survey and nationally available small area datasets such as the census. The 2013 sub-regional figures, and the full methodology behind them, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-sub-regional-statistics   The table below shows the number and proportion of households that are fuel poor under the Low Income High Costs indicator in the Greenwich and Woolwich constituency since 2011 (the first year to record sub-regional fuel poverty under the LIHC indicator).   YearEstimated number of householdsEstimated number of fuel poor householdsProportion of fuel poor households (%)2013*47,2804,1258.7201244,1433,4427.8201143,4822,9766.8 *Note: 2013 estimates use an updated energy consumption model   Prior to the LIHC indicator, the 10 per cent measure of fuel poverty was used – under this measure, households are deemed to be in fuel poverty if they need to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on fuel in order to achieve an adequate level of warmth.   In 2010, the number of households estimated to be in fuel poverty in the Greenwich and Woolwich constituency under the 10 per cent measure was 4,525, around 10.6% of all households. Estimates prior to 2010 are available from the fuel poverty statistics archive page.   We are fully committed to tackling fuel poverty in England and to meeting our fuel poverty targets. A successful approach to keeping homes warmer for less needs to be long-term, stable, coherent, and affordable, and targeted at those who need it most. The fuel poverty strategy published in March 2015 sets out a clear policy of working towards improving energy efficiency standards in the homes of the fuel poor. Alongside Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments, millions of low income and vulnerable households receive support through the Warm Home Discount and Energy Company Obligation which support installation of heating and insulation measures as well as direct reductions in consumers’ energy bills.

Radioactive Waste: Transport

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what contingency plans her Department has in place to ensure that coastal communities are protected in the case of a breach in the transportation of highly radioactive high level waste from Sellafield to Switzerland across the Irish Sea.

Andrea Leadsom: The safety and security of nuclear material is a Government priority. Shipments of high level waste are subject to stringent regulation concerning safety and security.For reasons of national security, we do not comment on the transport of nuclear materials. However, in the event of a breach the transport will be undertaken by International Nuclear Services (INS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The transport ship to be used is dedicated to the transport of nuclear materials that is classified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) of the United Nations at its highest level of Class INF 3. It has many extra safety features that would not be found on conventional cargo vessels.This transport complies with the requirements of all government regulators and all relevant international obligations and recommendations on the physical protection of nuclear material.As the carrier of nuclear cargoes, INS has direct responsibilities placed on it for emergency planning, preparedness and response by the transport regulations set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and (IMO). INS top level emergency plans are approved by the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the UK. INS vessels are monitored by a 24-hour report centre in the UK, allowing unforeseen events to be evaluated and responded to quickly.Nuclear materials have been transported since the advent of nuclear power over 50 years ago. There has never been an accident in which a container of highly radioactive material has been breached or has leaked. In the highly unlikely case of an accident having any nuclear consequences, the Paris and Brussels Conventions would enable a person who suffered injury or damage from the nuclear characteristics of the cargo to recover compensation without having to prove that anyone was at fault.

Energy: Meters

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the average cost to a consumer is of the (a) installation and (b) removal of a pre-payment meter.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department does not hold the information requested.In June this year Ofgem published a report of its Prepayment Review: 'Understanding Supplier Charging Practice and Barriers to Switching' - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2015/06/prepayment_report_june_2015_finalforpublication.pdf.Ten of the 19 suppliers who offer prepayment meter tariffs do not charge for the installation of prepayment meters. Of the companies that charge for home visit and the cost of physical prepayment meter installation Ofgem found the cost ranged from £46.84 - £160.00 for customers who gave consent and £69.00 - £179.96 installed under warrant.Nine of the 19 suppliers do not charge for the removal of prepayment meters. Of the companies that charge Ofgem found the cost ranged from £46.84 - £160.00.

Energy: Meters

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how her Department plans to feed into the upcoming OFGEM consultation on the costs of pre-payment meters.

Andrea Leadsom: Ofgem’s prepayment meter review into understanding supplier charging practices found around half of the suppliers who offer prepayment meter tariffs choose not charge for the installation and/or removal of prepayment meters. We welcome Ofgem’s plans to consult further on how this good practice could be extended it to all suppliers. DECC officials continue to work with Ofgem to achieve this aim.

Cabinet Office

Kids Company

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of how many children and young people have been affected by the closure of Kids Company.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that those young people previously supported by Kids Company continue to receive appropriate support.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to provide funding to local authorities to help manage the effects of Kids Company's closure.

Mr Rob Wilson: Since the closure, Kids Company have transferred 1842 cases to local authorities for them to review and determine the support services required. Kids Company also supported children through their schools programme, which is in the process of being handed over to school staff. Funding is being made available to local authorities to support the transition of Kids Company children to other services.

Kids Company: Finance

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what concerns his Department had about the leadership, management and governance at Kids Company when making its recent decisions on funding.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when Cabinet Office officials first contacted Kids Company about issues concerning its leadership, management and governance.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when Cabinet Office officials first became aware of issues concerning leadership, management and governance at Kids Company.

Mr Rob Wilson: Upon taking responsibility for Youth Policy, the Cabinet Office commissioned an independent review of financial and governance controls at Kids Company in early 2014. This is published on gov.uk. Since the completion of this review, officials held regular discussions with Kids Company to monitor progress. Specific concerns raised by officials are set out in the request for a ministerial direction letter, also published on gov.uk

Government Departments: Procurement

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which projects have received an amber red classification as referred to in the latest annual report of the Major Projects Authority.

Matthew Hancock: The Government Major Projects Portfolio Data, September 2014, was published alongside the latest Major Projects Authority Annual Report and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/major-projects-authority-annual-report-2015

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Mobile Phones

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress is being made on providing a system for mobile phone networks to share their transmissions.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The installation and sharing infrastructure to provide mobile phone coverage is a commercial decision for mobile network operators (MNOs). Some MNOs provide wholesale access to their networks to other mobile services providers called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), such as Asda and TalkTalk. According to Ofcom’s 2014 Infrastructure Report there were 41 MVNOs in the UK as at June 2014.

Department of Health

Respiratory System: Diseases

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many bed days each year are used by the NHS for treating respiratory diseases.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many operations to treat respiratory disease the NHS has undertaken in each of the last 10 years.

Jane Ellison: Information on the number of bed days used by the National Health Service for treating respiratory diseases and on operations to treat respiratory disease the NHS has undertaken in each of the last 10 years is set out in the attached tables. 



FAEs- Respiratory system diseases 2004-14
(Excel SpreadSheet, 13.54 KB)




Bed days FCEs- Respiratory system diseases 2004-14
(Excel SpreadSheet, 13.45 KB)

Respiratory System: Diseases

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of working days lost each year due to respiratory diseases.

Jane Ellison: This information is not collected centrally.

Local Authorities: Health

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) the London Borough of Enfield and (b) other local authorities receive their target funding allocations for public health.

Jane Ellison: The Department has always recognised that progress towards target share of the overall public health grant will take time. The rate of pace of change will depend on total resources available following the spending review.

Vaccination

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what monitoring his Department undertakes of the implementation of guidance in the document, Immunisation against infectious disease, and the section 7A agreement between his Department and NHS England.

Jane Ellison: ‘Immunisation against infectious disease’ contains guidance for healthcare professionals including for immunisation programmes commissioned under the section 7A Agreement. NHS England is obliged to implement these programmes in accordance with this guidance under the NHS public health functions agreement 2015-16: Core service specification- National immunisation programme.  Implementation of immunisation programmes under the section 7A agreement is kept under review by the Immunisation Programme Board, the NHS Public Health (section 7A) Functions Steering Group and the Senior Oversight Group. In addition, quarterly assurance reports are provided on delivery against the agreed outcomes of all immunisation programmes under the agreement.

NHS: Working Hours

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to increase the budget of the NHS to meet the cost of making the NHS a full seven days a week service.

Ben Gummer: The NHS Five Year Forward View committed to ensuring that hospital patients will have access to seven day services where this makes a clinical difference to outcomes. We will back the NHS Five Year Forward View and increase National Health Service funding by £10 billion per annum, above inflation, by 2020-21. This is a real terms funding increase of £8 billion, in addition to the £2 billion for 2015-16 announced at Autumn Statement 2014.

Obesity: Children

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to tackle childhood obesity.

Jane Ellison: Tackling childhood obesity is a major priority for this Government and we will publish our childhood obesity strategy before the year end.

Pharmacy

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when patient records will be made available to commercial pharmacies.

George Freeman: Early adopters can access the Summary Care Record (SCR) now, subject to completing mandatory preparation requirements and to meeting all necessary Information Governance rules. The SCR currently limited to important information about any medicines individuals are taking, any allergies they suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines they have previously experienced. It allows authorised healthcare staff to have access to this information which will improve decision making by doctors and other healthcare professionals and prevents mistakes being made when patients are being cared for.   Wider rollout will commence in autumn 2015 and the majority of pharmacies will have access by April 2017. NHS England is currently working with professional and representative bodies to agree details of the wider rollout. All pharmacies will be required to meet strict rules on access, with only regulated pharmacy professionals able to access for the purpose solely of direct clinical care, and only then with the explicit consent of the patient.

NHS: Finance

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy not to introduce user charges or insurance-based funding or hold an inquiry into introducing such changes into the NHS during the course of this Parliament.

Alistair Burt: There is no plan to launch an inquiry into the way that the National Health Service is funded. The Government remains committed to the principles of the NHS, enshrined in the NHS Constitution, that access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not the ability to pay, and we have previously ruled out introducing changes.

Dementia: Cumbria

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the diagnosis rate for dementia of people of each (a) age group and (b) gender in (i) Allerdale borough and (b) Copeland borough has been in each of the last 10 years.

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the rate of dementia among each (a) age group and (b) gender in (i) Allerdale borough and (ii) Copeland borough has been in each of the last 10 years.

Jane Ellison: Information is not available in the format requested.   The number of people recorded on the practice dementia disease register is available in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, from 2006/07, when dementia indicators were introduced into the framework. The diagnosis rate is not available but the numbers of people on the dementia register are available. This is a measure of prevalence rather than incidence.   Number of patients on the QOF Dementia Register in Cumbria as at 31 March   AreaYearNumber of GP practicesNumber of patients on the Dementia RegisterPrevalence (%)NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)2013-14824,6020.88NHS Cumbria CCG2012-13824,2480.81Cumbria Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT)2011-12833,9380.76Cumbria PCT2010-11903,5240.68Cumbria PCT2009-10913,3180.64Cumbria PCT2008-09923,1140.60Cumbria PCT2007-08933,0080.58Cumbria PCT2006-07952,8560.56   Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre   Notes: 1. Data is received at practice level, however the practice data cannot be used to estimate prevalence for small areas as practices serve registered patients, not defined geographical areas. The QOF data has been provided down to CCG/PCT level.   2. The figures provided are a snapshot ‘as at 31 March each year’ and are for people of all ages, as a breakdown by age group and gender is not available.   3. The objective of the QOF is to improve the quality of care that patients are given by rewarding practices for the quality of care they provide to their patients. QOF is therefore an incentive payment scheme. Participation by practices is entirely voluntary, though participation rates are over 95%.   4. As QOF registers are constructed to underpin indicators on quality of care, they do not necessarily equate to prevalence as may be defined by epidemiologists. For example, prevalence figures based on QOF registers may differ from prevalence from other sources because of coding and definitional issues.   5. The number of patients on clinical registers can be used to calculate disease prevalence, expressing the number of patients on each register as a percentage of the number of patients on practices’ lists. Therefore, ‘raw prevalence’ for a clinical area is defined as:   Raw Prevalence = (number on clinical register / number on practice list) *100

Nurses: Migrant Workers

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many nurses from non-EEA countries who were granted Tier 2 visas between 6 April 2011 and 5 April 2012 are employed in each hospital trust on annual salaries below £35,000.

Ben Gummer: The Department does not hold this information.   The Home Office estimate that there were 713 visas issued to nurses in 2011/12 to whom the pay threshold and six year cap would apply if they are still resident in the United Kingdom.

Autism: Young People

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what new funding he intends to allocate to autism diagnostic services for young people aged between 12 and 17 years old.

Alistair Burt: Decisions on how allocations should be spent locally are for clinical commissioning groups. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on autism make it clear that families should wait no more than three months to start diagnosis. Every part of the National Health Service should be adhering to these guidelines.

Drugs: Licensing

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with which organisations and individuals (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have discussed the availability of repurposed off-patent drugs on the NHS since 12 February 2014.

George Freeman: Following the 11 February 2015 Roundtable Event on ‘Translating Evidence in to Clinical Practice’, officials are continuing to work with key stakeholders including charities, health professional networks, the General Medical Council, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Officials have since been engaging with stakeholders to progress outputs associated with this event.

Drugs: Licensing

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the outcome was of the stakeholder roundtable discussion on off-patent drugs convened by his Department on 11 February 2015.

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to act upon the outcomes of the stakeholder roundtable discussion it convened on 11 February 2015 on access to off-patent drugs.

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in implementing non-legislative measures to provide routine access on the NHS to off-patent drugs that have been proven to be clinically effective for new indications.

George Freeman: The Department convened a roundtable event on 11 February 2015 to discuss what action, could most expeditiously be taken to ensure that robust evidence about new uses for existing drugs is produced, disseminated and then used to inform clinical decision making about these medicines.   A number of areas were identified where further work could help improve matters, including:   - supporting clinicians to identify the latest robust evidence on patient care and take it up in their own practice; and - supporting and mapping clear pathways for innovators and those who want to "re-purpose" drugs.   Officials have since been engaging with stakeholders to progress outputs associated with this event.

Strokes

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to update the national stroke strategy when the implementation period ends in December 2017.

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent progress his Department has made on the implementation of the national stroke strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Good progress has been made on stroke since the launch of the National Stroke Strategy in 2007. Examples include:   - All ambulance trusts now treat stroke as a medical emergency and use the Face Arm Speech screening test to triage patients; - 80% of eligible stroke patients now receive clot busting drugs, giving them a better chance of regaining their independence following a stroke; - All hospitals admitting acute stroke patients have access to brain imaging 24 hours a day. 44% of stroke patients are scanned within one hour of hospital arrival and 88% within 12 hours; and - 96% of stroke patients are treated at a stroke unit at some time during their hospital stay.   There are no current plans to update the National Stroke Strategy. However we want to ensure that the gains made are not lost and that this work is taken forward. This is why we published the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Outcomes Strategy in 2013, which includes many stroke specific strategic ambitions.   NHS England hosts a CVD expert forum focused on improving outcomes, which brings together the relevant National Clinical Directors, the main relevant national charities, NHS Improving Quality, the National CVD Intelligence Network, Public Health England and the Department of Health. This collaborative continues to coordinate delivery of the work which was initiated in the CVD Outcomes Strategy.   In addition, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Stroke is working with the strategic clinical networks, clinical commissioning groups, voluntary agencies and individual providers to support better commissioning and provision of stroke care.

Strokes: Health Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Stroke-Act FAST campaign.

Jane Ellison: Since the Act FAST campaign started in 2009 an estimated 38,646 extra people who were having a stroke got to hospital within three hours, saving 9,875 quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and preventing 4,337 disabilities. There has also been a 29% increase in stroke-related 999 calls.[1]   The Act FAST campaign will run this year from 19 October – 15 November. [1] Public Health England (2015) Social Marketing Strategy 2014-17: One year on. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-england-marketing-strategy-2014-to-2017)

Strokes: Health Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding has been allocated by his Department to the Stroke-Act FAST campaign in each year between 2009 and 2015.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England took over all the public health campaigns formerly run by the Department on 1 April 2013 including Act FAST.   The funding allocated to the Act FAST marketing campaign is as follows:   Stroke Act FAST media spend   2008/20092009/20102010/20112011/20122012/20132013/20142014/2015  £4,520,000£2,450,000£540,000£800,000£810,000£870,000£850,000A higher level of investment was required in the first two years of the campaign to build awareness of the new brand and recognition of the FAST acronym. Since then we have continued to invest in the campaign at lower levels in order to maintain awareness.   The Act FAST campaign will run once again this year from October 19 - November 15.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Medical Equipment

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospitals in England have a Masimo Rad-57 Oximeter in their accident and emergency departments.

Jane Ellison: This information is not held centrally.